Ocon becomes fourth driver to get Mexican GP grid penalty for power unit change
Esteban Ocon has become the fourth Formula 1 driver to land a back-of-the-grid penalty in Mexico after Alpine announced on Saturday it had taken a fresh power unit.
Following penalties for McLaren’s Lando Norris, AlphaTauri’s Yuki Tsunoda and Aston Martin’s Lance Stroll, Ocon will also drop to the back of the grid after Alpine took a fresh power unit ahead of final practice at the Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez on Saturday.
“Esteban will have a new engine for this weekend’s Mexico City Grand Prix - his fourth of the season,” a short statement from Alpine read.
“All components of the power unit will be brand new for qualifying and the race.”
It means that the best-qualifying driver from the quartet is set to start from 17th place on the grid on Sunday, giving them all something to play for in the session on Saturday afternoon.
George Russell will also enter Sunday’s race with a grid penalty, falling five places on the grid after Williams opted to fit his car with a fresh gearbox following an issue in practice on Friday.
Since his shock victory in Hungary ahead of the summer break, Ocon has failed to finish a race any higher than seventh, and retired from the last round in the United States, having struggled for pace throughout the weekend.
“We’re looking obviously to bounce back,” Ocon said on Thursday in Mexico.
“It’s a very different challenge here. As I said, it’s a lot more smooth, there are a lot less bumps than Austin. So we work really hard to understand why we are not competitive in Austin and hopefully we’ll be back on pace for this race.”
Esteban Ocon, Alpine A521
Photo by: Glenn Dunbar / Motorsport Images
Alpine currently finds itself engaged in a tight battle with AlphaTauri for fifth place in the constructors’ championship, with its lead standing at just 10 points with five races to go.
Ocon felt that AlphaTauri “clearly” had a pace advantage at the moment, making it important for Alpine to try and grab what opportunities it can.
“We need to keep delivering and we need to keep getting the maximum out of the car in any circumstances,” Ocon said.
“It doesn’t matter if we are 12th or eighth. The aim is to keep [being] in front of them, of course, until the end of the year.
“It’s going to be a tough battle but we are ready for it and the aim is to finish fifth.”
Related video
F1 Mexican Grand Prix Live Commentary and Updates - FP3 & Qualifying
F1 Mexican GP: Perez fastest from Verstappen in Red Bull FP3 1-2
Has Alonso made the right choice gambling on Aston Martin F1?
Has Alonso made the right choice gambling on Aston Martin F1? Has Alonso made the right choice gambling on Aston Martin F1?
Hamilton in the process of selecting Brad Pitt’s co-star for F1 movie
Hamilton in the process of selecting Brad Pitt’s co-star for F1 movie Hamilton in the process of selecting Brad Pitt’s co-star for F1 movie
How ‘demanding’ Alonso has started life with Aston Martin
How ‘demanding’ Alonso has started life with Aston Martin How ‘demanding’ Alonso has started life with Aston Martin
Ocon: Alpine 'unfortunate' with Monaco F1 red-flag absence
Ocon: Alpine 'unfortunate' with Monaco F1 red-flag absence Ocon: Alpine 'unfortunate' with Monaco F1 red-flag absence
FIA to take "immediate steps" to avoid repeat of "dangerous" Ocon F1 pitlane near-miss
FIA to take "immediate steps" to avoid repeat of "dangerous" Ocon F1 pitlane near-miss FIA to take "immediate steps" to avoid repeat of "dangerous" Ocon F1 pitlane near-miss
The physical focus bringing out the best of an F1 midfield star
The physical focus bringing out the best of an F1 midfield star The physical focus bringing out the best of an F1 midfield star
F3 Monaco: Mini claims maiden series win in feature race
F3 Monaco: Mini claims maiden series win in feature race F3 Monaco: Mini claims maiden series win in feature race
Team Penske cars will join Indy 500 “dogfight”, says O’Ward
Team Penske cars will join Indy 500 “dogfight”, says O’Ward Team Penske cars will join Indy 500 “dogfight”, says O’Ward
F1 Monaco Grand Prix – Start time, starting grid, how to watch, & more
F1 Monaco Grand Prix – Start time, starting grid, how to watch, & more F1 Monaco Grand Prix – Start time, starting grid, how to watch, & more
Leclerc handed F1 Monaco GP grid penalty for impeding Norris
Leclerc handed F1 Monaco GP grid penalty for impeding Norris Leclerc handed F1 Monaco GP grid penalty for impeding Norris
The factors for and against a Red Bull upset in F1’s Monaco GP
The factors for and against a Red Bull upset in F1’s Monaco GP The factors for and against a Red Bull upset in F1’s Monaco GP
What Aston Martin's Honda deal reveals about its true F1 mindset
What Aston Martin's Honda deal reveals about its true F1 mindset What Aston Martin's Honda deal reveals about its true F1 mindset
Would Hamilton really be a worthwhile F1 investment for Ferrari?
Would Hamilton really be a worthwhile F1 investment for Ferrari? Would Hamilton really be a worthwhile F1 investment for Ferrari?
Why the growing pains of F1’s cost-cap era require patience
Why the growing pains of F1’s cost-cap era require patience Why the growing pains of F1’s cost-cap era require patience
Has F1 gone too far with its sprint race format tweaks?
Has F1 gone too far with its sprint race format tweaks? Has F1 gone too far with its sprint race format tweaks?
The crucial next steps for McLaren on its path to F1 recovery
The crucial next steps for McLaren on its path to F1 recovery The crucial next steps for McLaren on its path to F1 recovery
The bigger answer Mercedes needs from its now delayed F1 upgrades
The bigger answer Mercedes needs from its now delayed F1 upgrades The bigger answer Mercedes needs from its now delayed F1 upgrades
What the lessons of 2013’s mid-year tyre change mean for F1 2023's dominant team
What the lessons of 2013’s mid-year tyre change mean for F1 2023's dominant team What the lessons of 2013’s mid-year tyre change mean for F1 2023's dominant team
Subscribe and access Autosport.com with your ad-blocker.
From Formula 1 to MotoGP we report straight from the paddock because we love our sport, just like you. In order to keep delivering our expert journalism, our website uses advertising. Still, we want to give you the opportunity to enjoy an ad-free and tracker-free website and to continue using your adblocker.